Thursday, August 27
Moraga, CA
5:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
vs
Sacramento State
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MSOC | Gaels Host Sacramento State in Home Opener on Thursday in Week Two of College Soccer Season
8/25/2026 10:15:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's men's soccer team will play in its home opener this week, hosting Sacramento State on Thursday at 5 p.m. before heading to the South Bay to take on San Jose State on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Gaels are a combined 3-2 in their home openers dating back to 2021 and will look to make it 4-2 with their first home win over the Hornets since 2019.
Thursday's home opener can be streamed live on ESPN+ and tickets can be bought online at smcgaels.com/tickets. Additional game information and coverage for week two of the college soccer season can be found below:
GAME INFORMATION AND COVERAGE
MSOC | Saint Mary's vs. Sacramento State | Saint Mary's Stadium
Moraga, Calif. | Aug. 27 | 5 p.m.
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Tickets
MSOC | Saint Mary's at San Jose State | Spartan Soccer Complex
San Jose, Calif. | Aug. 30 | 1 p.m.
Live Stats | Mountain West Network | Tickets
GAELS OUTLOOK
Gaels Drop Pair on Midwest Road Trip…
Saint Mary's headed to the midwest for just its fourth ever matchup with the Wisconsin Badgers and first all-time matchup with the Marquette Golden Eagles to open up the 2026 college soccer season. Four first half goals would seal the win for the Badgers on Thursday and then two late goals in a defensive battle would swing the game for Marquette to conclude the weekend 0-2. Saint Mary's will seek its first win of the 2026 season at home with a matchup against Sacramento State on Thursday, looking for its fourth home opening win over the past six seasons.
Debuts A-Plenty…
A total of 12 players made their SMC debuts over the opening weekend including the likes of Ryan Firestone, Talan Rochelle and Luke Schaefer, who all started in both matches for the Gaels. Schaefer ended the week with the team lead in shots, with three over his first two starts as a Gael.
True freshman goalkeeper Nathan Peeler also saw the pitch with a 45-minute half against Wisconsin on Thursday for his collegiate debut. Freshman midfielder Cyrus Shafie made his debut against the Golden Eagles on Sunday and even tallied a pair of shots on frame over his 34 minutes of action.
Series History…
Saint Mary's leads the all-time series with Sacramento State with a record of 18-13-10 and is 1-1-1 over the last three matches. The Gaels drew 1-1 on the road last season with the Hornets. Their last win over Sacramento State came in a 3-2 shootout back in 2023.
Head coach Adam Cooper and his Gaels had a six-match unbeaten streak against San Jose State that stretched from 2018-2024. The Gaels secured five wins during that stretch, but took a dramatic 2-1 defeat at home last season as the Spartans netted the game-winner with just seven seconds remaining. Saint Mary's will seek its first win at Spartan Soccer Complex since a 4-0 rout back in 2022.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (1-1-0, Big West)
Sacramento State was picked to finish seventh in the 2026 Big West Preseason Poll but are off to a nice start here in 2026, standing at 1-1 with a 3-1 win over UC Davis. The Hornets beat the Aggies for the first time since 2023 and netted multiple goals against UC Davis for the first time since a 2-1 win in 2016. They ended the week with a narrow one goal defeat to No. 21 Grand Canyon, a Lopes team that won 14 games and made it to the Sweet 16 in 2025.
Highlighting the 2026 campaign for Sacramento State is first year head coach Matt McDougall, who had been on staff with the Hornets since 2006. McDougall took over for long-time head coach Michael Linenberger after announcing his retirement earlier this summer, concluding a 38-year run with the Hornets. Sacramento State won just two games in 2025, and this year's roster is made up of 14 returners and 10 newcomers, including five transfers. Allbranly Gue was named to the Big West All-Freshman Team last season and led the group with three goals and two assists as their top returner here in 2026.
ABOUT THE SPARTANS (0-1-0, Mountain West)
San Jose State received a pair of first place votes in this year's Mountain West Preseason Poll, and were picked as co-favorites along with Grand Canyon after winning 12 games in 2025. The Spartans put themselves on the map last season with big time results, including a pair of draws against RV Grand Canyon and No. 3 Stanford, as well as a 3-1 WAC victory over RV Cal Baptist. SJSU made a title run in the WAC Tournament, defeating San Diego State in the first round, and then upsetting top-seed Cal Baptist for a second time in the semis to advance to the championship match. A late winner from Grand Canyon would end the Cinderella run for the Spartans, falling 2-1 on Championship Saturday.
This season, San Jose State fell in its opener to UC Santa Barbara, but prior to the season opening match, the Spartans announced the retirement of long-time head coach Simon Tobin. Tobin is set to retire on August 31 according to the program, and will be replaced by Interim Head Coach Jesus "Chuy" Sanchez. Sanchez has been on staff with the Spartans since 2018 and was a standout player at CSU Bakersfield back in 2012. Returning players Ruben Flores-Thomas, Ronin Axelson and Angel Fernandez were named to the Mountain West Watch List, as the Spartans will embark on their first season as members of the Mountain West after leaving the WAC following the 2025-26 athletic year.
Thursday's home opener can be streamed live on ESPN+ and tickets can be bought online at smcgaels.com/tickets.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Thursday's home opener can be streamed live on ESPN+ and tickets can be bought online at smcgaels.com/tickets. Additional game information and coverage for week two of the college soccer season can be found below:
GAME INFORMATION AND COVERAGE
MSOC | Saint Mary's vs. Sacramento State | Saint Mary's Stadium
Moraga, Calif. | Aug. 27 | 5 p.m.
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Tickets
MSOC | Saint Mary's at San Jose State | Spartan Soccer Complex
San Jose, Calif. | Aug. 30 | 1 p.m.
Live Stats | Mountain West Network | Tickets
GAELS OUTLOOK
Gaels Drop Pair on Midwest Road Trip…
Saint Mary's headed to the midwest for just its fourth ever matchup with the Wisconsin Badgers and first all-time matchup with the Marquette Golden Eagles to open up the 2026 college soccer season. Four first half goals would seal the win for the Badgers on Thursday and then two late goals in a defensive battle would swing the game for Marquette to conclude the weekend 0-2. Saint Mary's will seek its first win of the 2026 season at home with a matchup against Sacramento State on Thursday, looking for its fourth home opening win over the past six seasons.
Debuts A-Plenty…
A total of 12 players made their SMC debuts over the opening weekend including the likes of Ryan Firestone, Talan Rochelle and Luke Schaefer, who all started in both matches for the Gaels. Schaefer ended the week with the team lead in shots, with three over his first two starts as a Gael.
True freshman goalkeeper Nathan Peeler also saw the pitch with a 45-minute half against Wisconsin on Thursday for his collegiate debut. Freshman midfielder Cyrus Shafie made his debut against the Golden Eagles on Sunday and even tallied a pair of shots on frame over his 34 minutes of action.
Series History…
Saint Mary's leads the all-time series with Sacramento State with a record of 18-13-10 and is 1-1-1 over the last three matches. The Gaels drew 1-1 on the road last season with the Hornets. Their last win over Sacramento State came in a 3-2 shootout back in 2023.
Head coach Adam Cooper and his Gaels had a six-match unbeaten streak against San Jose State that stretched from 2018-2024. The Gaels secured five wins during that stretch, but took a dramatic 2-1 defeat at home last season as the Spartans netted the game-winner with just seven seconds remaining. Saint Mary's will seek its first win at Spartan Soccer Complex since a 4-0 rout back in 2022.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (1-1-0, Big West)
Sacramento State was picked to finish seventh in the 2026 Big West Preseason Poll but are off to a nice start here in 2026, standing at 1-1 with a 3-1 win over UC Davis. The Hornets beat the Aggies for the first time since 2023 and netted multiple goals against UC Davis for the first time since a 2-1 win in 2016. They ended the week with a narrow one goal defeat to No. 21 Grand Canyon, a Lopes team that won 14 games and made it to the Sweet 16 in 2025.
Highlighting the 2026 campaign for Sacramento State is first year head coach Matt McDougall, who had been on staff with the Hornets since 2006. McDougall took over for long-time head coach Michael Linenberger after announcing his retirement earlier this summer, concluding a 38-year run with the Hornets. Sacramento State won just two games in 2025, and this year's roster is made up of 14 returners and 10 newcomers, including five transfers. Allbranly Gue was named to the Big West All-Freshman Team last season and led the group with three goals and two assists as their top returner here in 2026.
ABOUT THE SPARTANS (0-1-0, Mountain West)
San Jose State received a pair of first place votes in this year's Mountain West Preseason Poll, and were picked as co-favorites along with Grand Canyon after winning 12 games in 2025. The Spartans put themselves on the map last season with big time results, including a pair of draws against RV Grand Canyon and No. 3 Stanford, as well as a 3-1 WAC victory over RV Cal Baptist. SJSU made a title run in the WAC Tournament, defeating San Diego State in the first round, and then upsetting top-seed Cal Baptist for a second time in the semis to advance to the championship match. A late winner from Grand Canyon would end the Cinderella run for the Spartans, falling 2-1 on Championship Saturday.
This season, San Jose State fell in its opener to UC Santa Barbara, but prior to the season opening match, the Spartans announced the retirement of long-time head coach Simon Tobin. Tobin is set to retire on August 31 according to the program, and will be replaced by Interim Head Coach Jesus "Chuy" Sanchez. Sanchez has been on staff with the Spartans since 2018 and was a standout player at CSU Bakersfield back in 2012. Returning players Ruben Flores-Thomas, Ronin Axelson and Angel Fernandez were named to the Mountain West Watch List, as the Spartans will embark on their first season as members of the Mountain West after leaving the WAC following the 2025-26 athletic year.
Thursday's home opener can be streamed live on ESPN+ and tickets can be bought online at smcgaels.com/tickets.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's SoccerGK
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerMF
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